ON THE
MOUNTAIN
WHERE TO WATCH
'On The Mountain' is now available on PBS and WETA apps!
SYNOPSIS:
Rabia is put to the test when she is forced to choose between saving the life she once knew, and protecting those she loves and leaving it all behind.
FESTIVALS
HOST A SCREENING
On The Mountain is looking for partners to screen with.
We have developed a “screening in a box experience” with an interactive discussion guide, so that anyone can host a screening! We are partnering with festivals, NGOs, universities and art spaces to bring the film to audiences everywhere.
If you’re interested in a screening, please reach out anya.arcmedia@gmail.com and we’ll organise one together!
FACTS & FIGURES
UNHCR estimates more than 1.6 million Afghans have fled the country since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
In 2023, there were at least 8.2 million Afghans hosted across 103 different countries - one of the largest protracted refugee situations in the world.
Conservatively, over 38 million people have been displaced by conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, the Philippines, Libya, and Syria since September 11, 2001.
Any number is limited in what it can convey about displacement’s damage. The people behind the numbers can be difficult to see, and numbers cannot communicate how it feels to lose one’s home, belongings, community, and much more. Displacement has caused incalculable harm to individuals, families, towns, cities, regions, and entire countries physically, socially, emotionally, and economically.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Special Mention Award – Gandhara International Film Festival (GIFF) (2024)
CILECT Prize 2025 (Nominee)
Best Film – Sierra International Film Weekend (2024)
Best Film (nominee) – Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) (2024)
TAKE ACTION
We are proud to share On The Mountain, a story that remains urgently relevant as Afghan communities worldwide face escalating threats.
In April 2025, the United States ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans, Pakistan accelerated mass deportations affecting thousands of people who called the country home for decades, and Germany paused refugee admissions amid political negotiations. These decisions leave many Afghans—especially women and children—in limbo.
Now more than ever, we must advocate for humane policies, safe pathways, and support systems that uphold dignity and welcome. Let this film be a catalyst for compassion, action, and solidarity.
Awesta Zarif - Rabia
Awesta Zarif is a performing artist, activist and educator based in NYC. She was born in Afghanistan and raised in Southern California. She received a B.F.A. from Boston University's School of Theatre and has performed across the United States, Asia and Europe. She is currently on the Broadway national tour of The Kite Runner as Soraya. She hopes this film can help shed light on the myriad of struggles Afghan refugees are forced to endure, especially since the fall of Kabul in 2021. For more information visit awestazarif.com. #endgenderapartheid #letafghangirlslean.
Abdullah Amin - Interpreter
Abdullah Amin is an Afghan-American born and raised in the DC area. His parents were afghan refugees who came to America in the early 1980’s after escaping the soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He is a graduate of George Mason University, receiving his bachelors in Information Systems and Operations Management and a minor in Theater in 2016. Abdullah currently works as a federal consultant for Accenture Federal Services and pursues acting as a hobby in his spare time. He’s starred in various lead, supporting, principal, and background roles in student films, indie films, and major feature productions. He currently resides in Northeast Washington DC and if he is not working or acting, enjoys spending time with his 6 year-old daughter and exploring the mountains and wilderness of the world.
THE CAST
Sayed Akbari - Zaki
Although now being an American citizen, Sayed was born and raised in Afghanistan. He has a master's degree in accounting and is an active CPA. Sayed works as a professor of accounting and finance at the Talladega College where he teaches both undergraduate and MBA classes. Sayed is very passionate about educating people although acting has been the deepest passion of his life!
Barbara Zablocky - Case Worker
Barbara Zablocky was born and raised in New Jersey. Now an empty nester, Barbara is pursuing her early dream of acting. Barbara seeks projects that inspire her and that make a difference. This project brings awareness to a heart-breaking situation. Everyone involved had such passion and commitment, and Barbara is grateful to be part of bringing this story to light.
Maryam Yourish - Marwa
Maryam Yourish is an Afghan American actress who migrated to the US with her immediate family through diplomatic visa. Her father, Mr. Yourish, a deputy minister of foreign affairs was a very prominent and political figure in Afghanistan. Maryam has a BA in theater from Hunter College. In 2013, She landed the lead role as Desdemona in Shakespeare’s theatrical production of Othello. It was an exciting and proud moment for Maryam, as it would be her first performance. Soon after, She got nominated to compete for an Irene Ryans award at the American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C for her outstanding performance. Maryam was also a finalist in Zara’s international beauty pageant, hosted and judged by Miss world’s Bollywood & Hollywood star Priyanka Chopra. Maryam is also very passionate about film and strong female roles of women empowerment through the lens. She landed the supporting role in her first film The Choice which is about the painstaking decision one family has to make after fleeing war and seeking refugee resettlement in the US. Outside all the dramatic roles, Maryam loves making people laugh and a big comedy gal. She enjoys improv and is fond of impersonations and character acting. Her goal is to be the voice of the voiceless and to shed light on characters of inspirational films that impacts society as a whole.
Matthew Gibeson - Officer Mantilla
Matthew Gibeson is an actor in the DC area. He graduated from The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in 2017 and their Actor Repertory Theater program in 2019. Matthew has several short film, commercial, and industrial credits and has produced multiple projects of his own. He is excited to be a part of such an impactful film.
Anya Raza | Director, Writer, Producer
Anya Raza is a Pakistani-Dutch writer, filmmaker and economist. Moved by the human spirit, Anya works at the nexus of art and justice, and has over a decade of experience telling stories, distilling complex messages and finding commonality in grey areas. Her thought-provoking, poetic and sometimes humorous stories aim to break stereotypes, encourage critical thinking and catalyze change. Anya believes deeply in building community.
Hila Hamidi | Producer
Born and raised in Southern California, Hila Hamidi is a television writer and producer at Warner Bros. and runs a digital marketing agency based out of Orange County. Her passion for storytelling flourished at eleven when she visited Afghanistan for the first time.
Aisha Azimi | Associate Producer
Aisha Azimi is an Afghan-American digital communications and marketing professional with storytelling experience ranging from international humanitarian organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies. She received her Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication from American University and Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language & Communication Sciences from George Washington University. She founded and served as President of American University's first-ever Afghan Students Association with the intention of celebrating Afghan culture, heritage & traditions with the university and greater diaspora. She is the Associate Producer on the film, On the Mountain, and is excited to share the heartwrenching story with the community.
THE TEAM
Baktash Ahadi | Executive Producer, Producer
Baktash Ahadi is an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, human rights activist, and TEDx Speaker. He directs, produces, and writes films that explore the human condition and is particularly drawn to stories of forced migration, conflict, refugees, and vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
Joseph Terranova | Co-Producer
Joseph Terranova is a Lebanese-American producer and director who began his career as a humanitarian storyteller in East Africa. His approach focuses on stories that highlight commonalities among all of us.
Asif Khan, Impact Producer
Born in the United States and raised in Abbottabad (where his mother served as a physician at Afghan refugee camps) and Islamabad, Pakistan, Asif is a global citizen who has lived and worked across the United States, Spain, Turkey, England, Argentina, and Mexico. He leads strategy and partnerships at the impact agency Picture Motion, which also spearheaded the impact campaign for On The Mountain from April to September 2024.
Sol Guy | Executive Producer
Sol believes we change and shape our world through the stories we tell. His passion to explore art and social change has provided him with a unique creative journey. From his early days as a founding member of the groundbreaking Canadian Hip Hop group Rascalz to creating, and presenting TV shows, producing and directing films, writing books, and managing other artists, he has all the while been implementing innovative socially-minded business practices.
Bryan Gordon | Co-Producer
Bryan Gordon, a Navy veteran originally from Orlando, Florida, brings a passion for impactful storytelling to the world of film and media. With his years of service, Bryan's unique perspective shines through in his work. His past and current projects highlight his dedication to creating meaningful content. Bryan's most recent short film, Split Ends, is a testament to his interest in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
On The Mountain is a slice of life into one of the many agonizing choices refugees have had to make when escaping danger. As a Pakistani-Dutch woman, I was raised between two cultures, therefore stories that span the gray areas of patriarchy and identity have always intrigued me. I was living in Washington DC when the U.S. Army withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. Despite being in the capital of the United States, stories of devastation and unfulfilled promises barely made headlines. My best friend was working as a Pashto interpreter at a military base, and would tell me of the heart wrenching choices families had to make as they fled Afghanistan.
Raised in Pakistan, I remember all too well the day the planes hit the twin towers in New York, and the two decades of devastation that followed in Afghanistan and its borders. Millions of Afghan refugees escaped war and poverty, leaving all they had ever known, in an attempt to survive. As a result, now nearly 8.2 million Afghans live in 103 countries around the world.
Spurred by decades of untold stories of Afghan heroes, I wrote this screenplay in consultation with multiple case workers supporting the 125,000 (and counting) Afghan refugees resettling in the U.S. Our protagonist was inspired by the 14th C. Afghan poet, Rabia Balkhi, a hero - who defied power and injustice, and a martyr - who gave her life to divine love.
With nearly an all Afghan cast, and crew with personal relationship with resettlement, we have worked hard to make every aspect of this film authentic, and believe it is now in a position to be shared globally and spark a conversation on compassion in times of incomprehensible refugee crises.
We hope this film will spark dialogue, awareness and help mobilize resources for the many Afghans whose lives are starting from scratch. For Afghan women in particular, the culture shock can be immense, and so welcoming refugees with compassion, curiosity and support about their journey, can make all the difference in how they land in a new country, and the choices they make moving forward.
PRESS
FULL CREDITS
CAST
RABIA NOORI
Awesta Zarif
MARWA NOORI
Maryam Yourish
ZAKI NOORI
Sayed Akbari
MOIRA (CASE OFFICER)
Barbara Zablocky
SAMI (INTERPRETER)
Abdullah Amin
OFFICER MANTILLA
Matthew Gibeson
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
Mariam Zaidi
MUSIC
Sohbat Kabul Kawe - Qais Essar
Spring - Zain Ahsan & Samar Hussain
Memory and Forgetting - Spearfisher
Nothing to Declare! - Art Against Agony
Home - Onyx Music
Martin Puehringer - The Last Breath
Fallen Soldiers - C.K. Martin
Up the Hill over the Mountain - Will Van De Crommert
CREW
DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY
Anya Raza
PRODUCERS
Anya Raza
Baktash Ahadi
Hila Hamidi
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Sol Guy
Baktash Ahadi
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Fernando Rocha
EDITOR
Michael Rothermel
Ahmad Samara
Anya Raza
CO-PRODUCER
Bryan Gordon
Joseph Terranova
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Aisha Azimi
Wagma Isaczai
POST PRODUCER
Saritha Rothermel
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Satchitananda Hover
ART DIRECTOR
Katy Grossman
STORY CONSULTANTS
Gulmina Mahmud
Ann Singer
TRANSLATOR
Habib Rehman
ASSISTANT CAMERA
David Lotfi
Bria Granville
CAMERA OPERATOR
David Lotfi
Bria Granville
PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER
Steve Fixel
COMPOSER
Zain Ahsan
CONSULTING EDITOR
Haider Zafar
ARTIST
Musab Rehman
GRIP
Jen Stoughton
Bria Granville
Scout Pruski
SET-HAND
Jacob Audouin
SUPPORTERS
TALEEM PROJECT
CONTACT US
CONTACT US
For all screening and distribution inquiries, please contact: